Vintage F-4U Corsair Crashes At Airshow

Self | 11/10/02 | Self

[Robe]

I just came back from a Airshow at Owens Field in Columbia SC.

I had the sickening experience of witnessing the fatal crash of a veteran pilot and an historical aircraft.

Shortly after taking off and joining in the formation flyby circuit of the airfield the F4U Corsair began smoking, the pilot made a 90* right turn at the midfield point then a left turn in a apparent attempt to return to the runway. The aircraft disappeared behind tall trees and a moment later a thick black smoke column rose into the sky.

A rescue helo broke off a repelling demo to respond to the site. The aircraft had crashed into a tall stand of trees and was totally consumed in the resulting fire.

The name of the pilot is being withheld pending notification of family.

I had been talking to the veteran pilot just 15 minuets prior to his death, it was a devastating experience. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. He was honoring W.W.II vets and gave his like so others won’t forget their sacrifices. GOD bless all the airman whom risk their lives at these airshows to keep history alive for generations to come

Robe

[PackerBoy]

[PackerBoy]

What a trajedy. He and his loved ones deserve our prayers.

[null and void]

How sad! In our thoughts and prayers.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Oh, how sad I feel for you having witnessed that crash. And how wonderful a person you are to post this experience so as to gather us in prayer for this gentleman and his kin.
My prayers for him, his family, and for you...

[dep]

if you know the name of the pilot, can you freepmail it to me? i know a number of corsair jocks -- coolest airplane ever built -- and there is a good chance my sister is the one who did some or all of the restoration.

dep

[azhenfud]

As one airman for another, in my mind, the missing man formation is being flown.

God bless and comfort his family....

[Fiddlstix]

Praying for family
Bump

[Cagey]

FYI bump

[IGOTMINE]

"Oh hear us when we lift our prayer for those in peril in the air."

Tbe loss of a fine pilot and a piece of American history. Very sad.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Geez, Louise...of course...the Corsair. It just clicked in my head, as I was having a brain freeze or something a minute ago.

My husband was a pilot assigned to the Blacksheep squadron. We own quite a bit of memorabilia from VMA-214, including several things which were signed by Pappy, himself.

I realize and respect that you aren't able at this time to release the pilot's name, but if possible, could you Freepmail me and tell me if he was a Blacksheep? My dh and I would really appreciate it.

[kristinn]

Link to local report

[Cagey]

From a thread yesterday.

Photos of the Airshow taken by Moose4

[RedBloodedAmerican]

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

He was a Marine. Today is the Marine Corps' 227th birthday.

Semper Fidelis

[Semper911]

Salute to the veteran airman, and prayers to the family. Thank you for relaying this story for us. Sorry you had to go through that.

[Moose4]

Here's the article from The State that contains the pilot's name:

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A World War II-era fighter taking part in an airshow here crashed Sunday afternoon near Owens Field, killing the pilot.

The F4U Corsair came down about 1 p.m. in some woods in southeast Columbia, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said.

The pilot was Joseph O. Tobul, 68, of Santee, the coroner said.

Witnesses said the plane was flying in formation with other aircraft when smoke began to trail from the fighter.

Tobul's son was one of those flying nearby and he was in communication with his father, Watts said. Radio communication indicated Tobul's plane lost power, the coroner said.

"He basically veered away from the homes," Watts said. "There's no question that he flew into the tree line when he crashed."

The plane came down only about 75 feet from some homes, none of which sustained damage, Watts said. No one else was injured, he said.

"He certainly averted a much larger disaster," Watts said.

The Celebrate Freedom Festival started Friday and concluded Sunday. The program also included military vehicles, a living history encampment, a World War II Army field hospital, and flight simulators.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

An autopsy was planned Monday morning, Watts said.

Information from: The State

I took this picture yesterday morning--this is the aircraft in question, an F4U-4 Corsair painted as flying off the USS Boxer in the Korean War:

Prayers to the pilot, his family, and to the whole warbird restoration community. That is a very tight-knit bunch.

}:-)

[Moose4]

By the way, the Corsair that crashed is flying the lead position in that formation. Life's little ironies, eh?

The other three planes are three T-6 Texans that were at the show. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Corsair pilot's son flew one of them.

}:-)4

[Moose4]

My husband was a pilot assigned to the Blacksheep squadron. We own quite a bit of memorabilia from VMA-214, including several things which were signed by Pappy, himself.

Nine members of VMF-214 were in town for this airshow. I didn't get a chance to meet any of them, but I wish I had.

Thanks to your husband for his service.

}:-)4

[IGOTMINE]

The owner and his son had a webpage for the aircraft..."Korean War Hero". Very sad indeed.

http://www.koreanwarhero.com/